Sunday, October 28, 2012

With the hurricane approaching I thought I would show you a few photos of Ms. S in her Halloween costume. I spent quite a bit of time sewing up this dress for her over the past week. I used the dress pattern 'Dress with Quilted Bodice' from Carefree Clothes for Girls which I also made for her last year in cotton gauze and muslin. I really love this pattern because of all the details that go into it.

The bodice is made first and is hand quilted. My outer fabric is an organic cotton knit from Alabama Chanin, then a medium weight batting and finally the lining which I have had for a while and was perfect for this but I am not sure what it is. It seems like a rayon. The flutter sleeves are attached after and made from the lining. The skirt is the two layers with a ruffle added to the bottom of the lining. I like the way it is attached so the seam allowance shows in the front. Finally, you sew on the buttons in the back. I used these adorable black cat buttons I have been hoarding for a while.

I had a lot of fun making this. I've left the bodice loose so a shirt can go underneath as I have shown here and so that it can be used in the dress up box for a few years down the road.

I really hope we get to have a Halloween this year. I need to finish hemming M's costume and then we are set to go.

I recently finished Fjord though I still need to block it. It was a nice knit and fits well. The pattern is by Jenny Gordy and is available through Brooklyn Tweed. I would love to knit it in Shelter but I had some worsted weight yarn in the basket so I used that instead. I think this would make a nice hat pattern to use for gift giving this holiday season.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

We attended the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY yesterday. What a day!
The weather was gorgeous, the leaves were peaking and there was so much to see and do.
I say this every year but to get the full effect you probably really need to go both days. I say this and I was there for a full six hours.

My new yarn-

I paid visits to a few of my favorites and discovered some new ones. Have you ever heard of Qiviut? I had not and, oh my 100% qiviut is so incredible to touch. I will someday purchase some and make a scarf.
I got some tips on rug hooking and felting and enjoyed watched some weaving demonstrations. I waited on line again to purchase a skein of Cephalopod yarns. Really, I should have bought more for the amount of time I waited but, the color is so pretty it was worth it. It's that really pretty blue up there.
I got some beautiful new wool, a penny rug kit and a bolga basket. We met up with some family there which is always nice.

There is tons for kids to do which is really great so I can disappear on my own a bit and shop for a while knowing they are having fun. They watched sheep herding, dog frisbee, petted animals and a new favorite panning for rocks and minerals.

Friday, October 19, 2012

I was beyond happy to see corn husk dolls with directions in this months Martha Stewart magazine. I made my first corn husk doll in Kindergarten and it really made a huge impression on me. Honestly, it is one of two memories I have of school that year. The other involves the school fair and trying to win a goldfish that I didn't get. I got one two years later at a birthday party so no worries;)

I have always wanted to make a corn husk doll. One of my daughters friends has a birthday coming up so on our playdate the other day we tried out the dolls with our girls. They loved it so, we plan to go ahead and make them at her party in a few weeks.

I have a few boy dolls (you separate the husks to make legs) started and it's really easy to change the outfits and add embellishments. I need to find some calico because my original had yellow calico and I am sort of attached to the prairie corn husk doll concept. How about a mexican themed one? I am so getting carried away.

To make one you will first need corn husks. I got mine on Amazon but they are available at Mexican groceries as well as these are what you use to make tamales. Also, twine, glue, fabric or felt, yarn and embellishments. I used pins for eyes.

Remember if you are like me to have fun and not worry about it being perfect.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

The details are so pretty in Ysolda's Marin and I love the construction. It is really different from how I have knit shawls before. The little cables and waves on the edge make for a really interesting design. I know I will want to knit this again. I used Quince and Co. Chickadee in the color Winesap.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

I finished quilting and binding the heart quilt the other day. I would have had it done sooner but, I am always juggling lots of projects. I ran it through the machine and now it's all nice and crinkly and ready to keep us cozy.

It is made up of cotton squares placed on an angle and is made to resemble hearts. I talked about it a few times if you want more information here and here.

I am hand quilting a double cotton gauze quilt now made of Nani Iro. Here is a peek at that

I am taking upholstery class again (second class tonight) and am working on the chair I started last Spring which is exciting. I am doing it white which a few people have mentioned is crazy but I plan to scotch guard it and I am feeling good about it. A possible new opportunity has come my way but I will wait to see before I spill the beans.

Monday, October 8, 2012

I based this branch weaving on one I saw that Stephanie had made. It is made from wool yarn and wool/silk roving on a grapevine branch from the yard. I've also been working on Marin by Ysolda. I always find Ysolda's patterns so beautiful and really enjoyable/addictive to knit and this one is no exception. I first started it in lace yarn but it was too loose and floppy. This is Quince and Co. chickadee which is sport weight as the pattern calls for and I like it. It is not necessarily my ideal yarn choice for this project but, still very pretty.

Three little pumpkins sitting on a gate -
The first one said, "Oh my it's getting late."
The second one said, "I'm ready for some fun."
The third one said, "Lets run and run and run!"
AHH-WHOOOOOoooooo went the wind
And OUT went the lights
And the three little pumpkins rolled out of sight

My son used to sing this song when he was in preschool and this small rug hooking reminded me of it.

I thought a kit would be fun and chose this holiday themed one.
I think I get the concept of rug hooking okay.... It's fairly easy to pull the loops through the burlap but, there are some tricks to the trade I could definitely use some instruction on. One would be finishing techniques in regards to the wool strips left on back and better binding. I decided to back it with a piece of wool felt though I think a sturdier piece of felt would have been better. I have another kit with stars I hope to get to amongst all my other projects. In the future I think abstract designs is where my head is it if I continue with this craft. Not sure if I need another hobby.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Good Morning. Hope you all had a nice weekend and welcome October. We celebrated my Mother-in-Law's 80th birthday with a grand party on Saturday. She has seven children and 11 grandchildren so you can imagine how full of a life she has had so far. She grew up in Ecuador and moved to Queens, NY where she met her husband in a class learning to speak English. I get such a kick out of how they couldn't really talk to each other on their first date.

Anyway, I just love this month and it really is time for the wools to get worn. Last night I finished knitting this soft and cosy cowl scarf made with Blue Sky Brushed Suri. Years ago I knit a lace scarf in the color Earl Gray with this yarn and I love it so that I thought it would be project for another scarf project. This pattern is called the Cupido Cowl and there is some really nice texture created in the pattern. The color is called toasted marshmallow hence the title of the post. It's just the sort of soft easy piece to throw on in the morning. Well I am off to do a little sewing and tea drinking. Be back soon.